Automobile bumper



May 24, 1927.

R. w. KIRK AUTOMOBILE BUMPER Filed Aufll. 28. 1925 r4 IHHHH (Q INVENTOR MQMKM Patented May 24,1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Bonner w. KIRK,

OI ADRIAN, .MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 230 AMERICAN CHAIN COM--v PANY, INC., A. CORPORATION OF QNEW YORK.

AUTOMOBILE BUMPER.

Application filed August 28 1325. Serial No. 58,015.

This invention" relates to automobile bumpers, and is of particular utility when embodied in the construction of a bumper.

comprising main front bars of rectangular steel having their largest sectional dimension in a vertical plane, with similarly formed auxiliary or supplemental rear bars, although I contemplate the utilization of my I improvements in any field for which they may be adapted by their nature.

An object of the invention is to connect the main front bars with each other, and also with the. auxiliary or supplemental rear bar or bars, by giving the respective. ends .of the bars a quarter twist into parallel horizontal planes and fastening these quarter-twisted ends together by suitable means, such as bolts, rivets or clamps.

An inherent feature of advantage in this novel arrangement resides in the simplicity of manufacture, in contradistinction to the conventional method of making bumpers of' similar shape by edge-bending the main bars, or by turning spring eyes at the joints or fastening together with lapping plates.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a lan view o a bumper in the construction 0 which, the improvements have been embodied," with supporting brackets therefor mounted on the horns of an.

automobile.

Figure 2 is a view of the bumper in rear sectlonal dlmension 1n a vertic plane,- said elevation, insolated.

In the illustrated embodiment,-the reference character l designates the main front bars of an automobile bumper of the double loop-end type, .two such front bars being shown in vertical alignment, each bar being formed preferably of steel, rectangular in section, and havin its largest dimension in a vertical plane, t e bars-having their ends bent upon themselves to form return portions 2 which in accordance with the inven-- tion are given a quarter twist at 3 respectively, and are brought together'in parallel horizontal planes, the ends 4 being there fastened by suitable means such as the bolts 5.

Any suitable means may be provided for the support of the bumper, and in the instance illustrated an auxiliary or supplementa'lrear bar 6 is provided, of similar material and similarly fashioned, having a vertical portion intermediate its ends 7, the latter being given a quarter turn respectively at 8 into a plane parallel with that of the ends 4'and joined thereto by the bolts 5. The intermediate portion 6 is shown as connected to the main members 1 by a bend provided with a bolt 9 which transfixes the bar 6 and passes between the members 1, having preferably a washer 11 and nut 12 between which the members 1 are embraced, while a nut 13 serves to hold this connection'in assembled order with the bar 6'.

At 14 the rearward portions of the supplemental rear bar are shown as held by conventional clamps 15 mounted upon the front ends' or horns 16 of an automobile frame, but any suitable support may be utilized, and the attachment of the bars to their support may be efiected at the regions 4, by bolting thereto a' similarly twisted attachment member or members (not shown), in conjunction with, or in place of, the auxiliariy bar 6.

nstead of two front bars, there may beone or three or more, according to the style of bumper desired.

The supplemental with spring eyes at its ends, and the quarter bends of the main bars are then bolted above and below the spring eyes of the supplemental bar. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1.. A, bumpercomprising a metal bar of rectangular cross-section, havin its largest rear bar may formed tional dimension in parallel vertical planes,

said bars respectively having portions twisted through ninety degrees into adjacent parallel planes and being there connected.

1 4. A bumper comprislngmain' front bars of rectangular steel having their largest sectional dimension in parallel vertical planes, said bars respectivelyhaving portions twisted through ninety degrees into adjacent parallel planes and being there connected.

5. A bum er comprising a plurality of main front ars and an auxiliary bar, re-

. spectively formed of metal, rectangular in section and having their largest sectional dimension in parallel vertical planes, said bars respectively having portions twisted through ninety degrees into adjacent parallel having its largest sectional dimension in a vertical plane, and a similarly fashioned auxiliar rear bar, said bars respectively havingportions twisted through 'ninet degrees into adjacent parallel planes and eing there connected.

7. A bumper comprising a pluralit main front bars of metal having their la est. sectional dimension in parallel vertical planes, said bars respectively having portions bent into parallel horizontal planes and being there connected.

In Witness whereof, I have signed this specification.

ROBERT W, KIRK. 

